SANTA CLAUS – THE MUSICAL (The Alex, until Dec 30)

15-12-2007

Animals threatened by climate change! Not in Birmingham. They’re alive and well and starring at The Alex’s Christmas spectacular. Terry Wills tells us more....

What can children of all ages expect to see after donning coats, hats, gloves, and scarves on a cold winter night, before bravely setting out to tackle the city’s traffic problem?

For some it will inevitably be their first ever visit to a theatre to see a Christmas show. So was it worth the ‘inconvenience’ to see a new venture as opposed to a traditional panto - in this case, ‘Santa Claus- The Musical’ at the Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre?

Pushing through a crowded foyer (surrounded by a babble of excited chatter) it soon became apparent this production was aimed at everyone who considers themselves, as the legendary Frank Sinatra sang, ‘Young at Heart’.

Proof? A small beautiful ‘Grotto’ comprising among others, reindeer and penguins albeit with a warning sign, “Do not feed the Reindeer and Eskimo as they may bite” Thank you”!

So onto a story that’s very different from the usual Xmas offering. It’s set in and around the North Pole where Santa where and his Toyland band of helpers are busy preparing to pack and deliver presents to all corners of the globe.

In his workshop faithful helper Joe, eager to impress his enthusiastic friend Ms Drift finds himself immersed in wrapping paper after pulling a conveyor belt handle he’d been told NOT to pull.

The Reindeer are eagerly looking forward to their annual sleigh ride, while down on Earth, Jenny Johnston’s young daughter Anna, is busily writing and asking for her Christmas present wish to be answered.

The scene is set but what no one knew was that the Evil Ice Maiden, for a reason that only becomes clear in the final scene, is determined to ruin Christmas for everyone and if that means poisoning the eindeer ( aided by her henchman Aggro) so be it!

‘Boos all round’ Ok a pantomime villain had managed to find herself a character well deserving a chorus of ‘boos and hisses’ whenever landing on stage via a flying silver circle. Let the battle between good and evil commence.

Everyone responsible for creating this spectacular deserves a commendation. Writers, set designers, special effects/lighting, costume designers, choreography, not forgetting the charming animal creations.

They truly stole the show milking applause whenever their appealing creations set foot, or should I say, hooves on stage!?

My only ‘muted’ criticism is the lack of any recognised Christmas melodies, composer Anthony England, deciding to compose fifteen new songs.

When the ‘Red Nosed’ Reindeer, who else but Rudolph, slowly rose into the air pulling his sleigh to start his mammoth delivery round it was a pity the audience couldn’t have sang what is now an established Christmas classic.

Santa Claus hidden beneath his white beard is played by Roy Barraclough best known for his portrayal as the ‘Rovers Return’ owner Alex Gilroy in Coronation Street.

If only he’d been this affable, Bet would have been proud of him!.

His assistant, Chief Elf Joe, played by Russ Spencer a member of ‘Scooch the group chosen to represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, comes over well in his attempts to help Santa while at the same time finding a love interest in Anna’s mother Jenny Johnston.

(This role is taken by Joanne Farrell who herself has an impressive record in West End musicals and countless appearances in Television Dramas. Who remembers her as Sarah Jane Harvey in the revamped ‘Midlands based ‘Crossroads Hotel?)

Anita Dobson who’ll always be remembered for her role of Angie Watts in Eastenders also boasts an impressive theatrical CV. Her ‘cold calculating,’ portrayal as the Ice Maiden s being recognised as she took her final bow. The usual chorus of cheers and boos in equal measure summing up her performance.

However THE stars of the ‘Santa Claus The Musical’; have to be the wonderful ‘animals’ They’re a true delight and the sight of watching singing reindeer, talking crows, strutting penguins and Polar Bears in top hats and tails, dancing alongside the talented cast will live long in the memory.

The final dancing scene with the entire cast splendidly dressed in dazzling colours, and the audience gleefully discovering they were being covered in a flurry of falling snow, is worth the entrance money alone so if you’re a parent, or like me, young at heart, grab a ticket, and get along to the Alex to see a justifiably unique Christmas ‘feel good’ production.

But remember,’Don’t feed the animals they may bite!